Germany thrashed Curacao 7-1 in the first Group E match of the World Cup, played in Houston, USA. The four-time world champions earned their first opening-match victory at a World Cup since 2014.
Felix Nmecha put Germany ahead in the sixth minute, but Curacao stunned fans by levelling through a deflected shot from Livano Comenencia. However, Germany soon reasserted their dominance with goals from Nico Schlotterbeck, a Kai Havertz brace, Jamal Musiala, Nathaniel Brown and Deniz Undav to seal the 7-1 rout.
Veteran goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, aged 40, became Germany’s oldest World Cup player, while opposing coach Dick Advocaat, 78, made history as the tournament’s oldest manager. Despite conceding, Neuer remained a reliable last line as Germany’s attackers kept constant pressure on Curacao.
Havertz’s seventh goal late in the match echoed Germany’s iconic 7-1 semifinal win over Brazil in the 2014 World Cup. With this result, Germany top Group E and face tougher tests against Ecuador and Ivory Coast in the following rounds.
